Catalytic preparation of soluble poly(dichlorophosphazenes)

ABSTRACT

High molecular weight poly(dihalophosphazenes) which exhibit solubility in benzene and in substituted benzenes are prepared in solution or in bulk from dihalophosphazenes such as (Cl 2  PN) 3-7  at moderate temperatures by the use of novel polymerization catalysts.

This application is a division of application Ser. No. 474,055 filed May 28, 1974 which issued Jan. 25, 1977 as U.S. Pat. No. 4,005,171.

This invention relates to the preparation of poly(dichlorophosphazene) which is soluble in various solvents including benzene, chlorobenzenes, toluene and mixtures of such solvents.

More specifically it relates to the polymerization of dichlorophosphazene of the formula (Cl₂ PN)₃₋₇ to polymers of the formula [Cl₂ PN]₂₀₋₅₀,000 wherein the polymerization is accomplished in solution or in bulk in the presence of one or more catalysts.

Uncatalyzed bulk polymerization of (Cl₂ PN)₃, (Cl₂ PN)₄, or mixtures thereof, to form soluble [Cl₂ PN]_(n) polymer is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,370,020. This process employs temperatures of 200°-300° C., preferably about 250° C.

Another known process for producing soluble poly(dichlorophosphazenes) is described in Example 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 3,515,688 and elsewhere in the literature. This is essentially a batch process in which cyclic trimeric (Cl₂ PN)₃ is heated in a sealed tube under an inert atmosphere for a stated time at polymerizing temperatures.

A simpler process for the large scale production of soluble [Cl₂ PN]_(n) polymer in good yield is desired because this polymer can be converted to useful phosphazene derivatives as described for example, in recently issued U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,370,020; 3,515,688; 3,700,629 and 3,702,629 and elsewhere.

The primary object of this invention is to provide a simple process for the preparation of soluble, high molecular weight [Cl₂ PN]_(n) polymer at a significantly lower temperature than currently practiced in the art, said polymer having an intrinsic viscosity of about 0.01 to about 3.0 dl/g(benzene, 30° C.), and a solubility in benzene, toluene, xylene, chlorobenzene and o-dichlorobenzene.

Another object of this invention is to provide novel cyclic phosphazene polymerization catalysts useful in the above process and a method for their preparation.

Still another object of this invention is to form the [Cl₂ PN]_(n) polymer by a process in which the polymer produced is ready for reaction or purification immediately following polymerization, thereby avoiding the delay normally encountered when high molecular weight materials are dissolved.

These and other objects, which will be apparent from the description which follows, are achieved by the use of specific catalysts which make possible the polymerization of cyclic phosphazene oligomers in solution or in bulk to form the desired poly(dichlorophosphazene) polymer.

The catalyzed polymerization when conducted in accordance with this invention is conducted with ease in solution or in bulk and at temperatures which are significantly lower than those previously employed. The use of lower temperatures result in a more efficient polymerization and also diminish the tendency to form gel.

For solution or bulk polymerization any convenient pressure can be used from vacuum up to atmospheric pressures and above. Vaporization of starting monomer(s) in systems which are not closed, can be repressed by employing 10 weight % or even less of a suitable solvent. Previously reported bulk polymerizations at elevated temperature under atmospheric conditions have been attended by significant vaporization of monomer(s) with concurrent change of monomer(s) to catalyst ratio, conditions undesirable for reproducibility and molecular weight control. Other general advantages of a solution polymerization process are that viscosity is more readily controlled and good agitation can be accomplished in very inexpensive equipment.

Still another important advantage in an atmospheric solution polymerization process is that the [Cl₂ PN]_(n) polymer so produced can be purified immediately or can be utilized directly for subsequent derivatization as in its reaction with alkoxide, fluoroalkoxide, or aryloxide salts, or mixtures thereof.

Other advantages of the polymerization process of this invention will become evident when the process is compared with the known art which relates to the bulk polymerizatinn of hexachlorophosphazene, (Cl₂ PN)₃, octachlorophosphazene, (Cl₂ PN)₄, and mixtures thereof as described, for example, in Allcock, "Phosphorus-Nitrogen Compounds", Academic Press, N.Y., 1972 and Chem. Reviews, 72, 315 (1972). The bulk polymerizations reported in the prior art are conducted under vacuum and have further disadvantages. For example, high temperatures (220°-350° C.) are required, nonreproducible products are obtained, spurious formation of gelled polymer (particularly at moderate to high conversions) is experienced, molecular weight is difficult to control, and a product with a high degree of polydispersity is obtained.

By the polymerization process of this invention the polymerization of cyclic compounds having the formula (X₂ PN)_(m), where m is a whole positive integer of from 3 to 7 inclusive and X is a halogen selected from F, Cl, Br and both X's are not required to be identical, is accomplished at temperatures from about 130°-220° C. in solution or about 130°-200° C. in bulk for periods ranging from 1 hour to several days at any suitable pressure between vacuum and superatmospheric pressure.

For solution polymerization the concentration of monomer can vary from about 5-95%. Preferred solvents for solution polymerization are those which are unreactive to both catalyst and (X₂ PN)_(m) monomer and which preferably are solvent for both monomer and polymer at polymerization temperature. Suitable solvents include nitro or halo aromatics such as chlorobenzene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, bromobenzene, m- or p-bromochlorobenzene, nitrobenzene, o- or m-nitrotoluene, m-chloronitrobenzene, and mixtures of these solvents. These and other solvents which may also be employed singly or in combination include benzene, biphenyl, toluene, xylene, halogenated biphenyls, carbon tetrachloride, hexachloroethane, tetrachloroethane, pentachloroethane, and hexachlorobutadiene. The methylated benzenes are preferably used at temperatures below 195° C. and benzene and biphenyl are preferably used at temperatures below 220° C.

When the polymerization is conducted at atmospheric pressure or above, a dry inert atmosphere such as nitrogen, helium, or argon is preferably employed. Polymerizations may be conducted under vacuum or under pressure. The concentration of catalyst(s) can vary from 0.1-20% but is preferably in the range of 0.1-5%.

Conversions of up to about 80% of soluble [Cl₂ PN]_(n) polymer have been achieved wherein the polymer is characterized by an intrinsic viscosity as measured in benzene at 30° C. of from about 0.01 to about 3.0 dl/g. High percent conversions to polymer are favored by an increase in temperature, catalyst(s) concentration, monomer concentration, and polymerization time. The [Cl₂ PN]_(n) polymer so produced is characterized by very little or no gelled material and is thus, ideally suited for the subsequent preparation of other substituted polyphosphazenes which have a wide range of utility.

Although polymerizations are preferably carried out with compounds of formula (Cl₂ PN)_(m), polymerization of fluoro-, bromo-, and even mixed halo- cyclophosphazenes have been effected. In general, the fluoro derivatives require higher polymerization temperatures and the bromo derivatives require lower polymerization temperatures than those used to polymerize the corresponding chloro derivatives.

The catalysts employed in the practice of the polymerization process of this invention to form soluble, high molecular weight [Cl₂ PN]_(n) polymer are selected from three groups, namely metal or organo metal salts derived from very strong acids (Group A), strong acids (Group B), and derivatives of halocyclicphosphazenes (Group C). Catalysts may be employed singly or in combination.

Representative members from each group include the following:

Group (A): comprises metallic or quaternary ammonium salts in which the anion is selected from the group consisting of: ##STR1## where R₁ is a monovalent member selected from the group consisting of polyhaloalkyl where the halogen is F, Cl or mixtures thereof, perfluoroaryl and perchloroaryl; R₂ is a monovalent member selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, lower alkyl (C₁ -C₅), aryl, substituted alkyl and substituted aryl with the proviso that R₂ is not halogen when bonded to ##STR2## Z is F or Cl; M is a metal selected from Groups Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb, and VIII of the Periodic Table, Pb, Mn, or Th; r is the valence of Metal M; t is in integer designating the magnitude of the negative charge of the complex ion [M^(r) Z_(r+t) ]^(-t) ; and Q is a metal selected from the group consisting of Hg, Cd and Zn and X' is either Br or I; and x is 0 or 1.

The following are representative as examples of specific catalysts of Group (A):

1. Sulfonic acids where R₂ (above) includes the following:

lower alkyl (methyl through butyl)

perfluoromethyl

perfluorophenyl

fluoro-

chloro-

phenyl-

toluoyl-

naphthyl-

p-bromophenyl-

nitrophenyl-

2,4-dinitrophenyl-

biphenyl-

m-(HO₃ S)phenyl-

2. Polyhalocarboxylic acids where R₁ (above) includes the following:

trifluoromethyl-

trichloromethyl-

difluoromethyl-

difluorochloromethyl-

perfluoropropyl-

perfluorobutyl-

3. Salts of miscellaneous acids:

fluoboric

fluophosphoric

picric

phosphoric

pyrophosphoric

polyphosphoric

hydriodic (alkali, alkaline earth and quaternary ammonium salts only)

4. Salts where the anion is a complex polyhalide represented by the formula [M^(r) Z_(r+t) ]^(-t) where M is a metal or nonmetal ion having a valence of r and is selected from Al, As, Fe, Mo, V, Nb, Ta, Pd, Pt, Re, Rh, Ti, Zr, Sb, Sn; Z is F or Cl; and t is an integer designating the magnitude of the negative charge of said complex ion. Representative complex negative ions are SbF₆ ⁻, SbCl₆ ⁻, AsF₆ ⁻, AlF₆ ⁻³, FeF₆ ⁻³, TiF₆ ⁻², and MoCl₆ ⁻³.

5. Alkaline and alkaline earth salts having an anion represented by the formula [QX'_(4-x) ]⁻(2-x) where x is zero or 1; Q is selected from Hg, Zn, Cd; and X' is bromine or iodine.

Preferred cations for all the catalyst salts of this invention are Li, Na, K, Mg, Ba, Hg, Ag, and quaternary ammonium ions.

Group (B): comprises the strong acids of Group (A), i.e., the sulfonic acids and polyhalocarboxylic acids used to prepare the metal salts catalysts of Group (A), picric, acid, and in addition H₃ PO₄ and the dehydrated derivatives of H₃ PO₄ such as pyrophosphoric acid, P₂ O₅ and P₂ O₅ -H₃ PO₄ mixtures, usually designated "polyphosphoric acid".

Group (C): comprises substituted cyclophosphazenes represented by the formula (X)_(y) (PN)_(m) (An)_(x), where m is a positive integer of 3 to 7; x and y are positive integers the sum of which equals 2m; x being at least one and y being not less than zero; each X is a halogen selected from F, Cl, or Br; An represents an anion described in Group (A) above, and all the An groups need not be identical to other An groups present in the cyclophosphazene and for cyclophosphazenes containing two or more X's, all of the X's need not be identical.

The catalysts of Groups A, B, And C may be employed singly, in combination, or as mixtures with non-catalyst metal halide salts such as LiCl, LiBr, MgCl₂, MgBr₂, HgCl₂, HgBr₂, which may be added for the purpose of modifying the polymerization.

The phosphazene derivatives of Group (C) are prepared by substitution reactions of X₆ P₃ N₃ or X₈ P₄ N₄, or mixtures thereof, or mixtures with higher oligomers, wherein X is a halogen as described above, with one or more of the salts described in Group (A). Preferred cations of the salt are silver, alkali metal, mercury and quaternary ammonium. The interchange is accomplished at temperatures from about 25° C. to 130° C., or even higher, providing the temperature is such that little or no polymerization occurs, and reaction times of about 1 hour to several days have been used. The reaction is preferably carried out in a dry polar aprotic solvent such as organic ethers [e.g., tetrahydrofuran, 1,2-dimethoxyethane, 1,4-dioxane, bis(2-methoxyethyl)ether], alkylnitriles (e.g. CH₃ CN, C₃ H₇ CN), nitroalkanes (e.g. CH₃ NO₂ C₂ H₅ NO₂, t-C₄ H₉ NO₂), nitrobenzene and nitrotoluene, and mixtures thereof, but less polar solvents such as benzene, toluene and their ring chlorinated or brominated derivatives may also be employed. Polar solvents such as N,N-dimethylformamide, N,N-dimethylacetamide, N-methylpyrrolidinone, and hexamethylphosphoramide may also be used singly or in combination with the above solvents provided that reaction temperatures are maintained below 50° C.

The phosphazene derivatives prepared as above described, can be freed of insoluble salt and used directly for the solution polymerization process of this invention, provided they are in a suitable solvent for polymerization, or they may be isolated and then used for polymerization of halophosphazene oligomers, or mixtures thereof. Isolation and purification are carried out by methods well known in the art.

The cyclophosphazene derivatives are advantageous as polymerization catalysts because they afford homogeneous polymerizations and more importantly may afford [Cl₂ PN]_(n) polymer with low polydispersity.

In the polymerization process of this invention monomer, catalyst, and solvent (if employed), are brought together at an appropriate temperature under an inert atmosphere. Suitable methods include: (1) prereacting the entire polymerization mixture at a temperature below the desired polymerization temperature to form in situ a compound of Group (C), and then continue polymerization at the desired polymerization temperature; (2) identical to method (1) except there is no separately conducted prereaction at a lower temperature; and (3) prereacting a limited amount of monomer, with a salt of Group (A), adding the remainder of monomer, and solvent, if any, and heating at the desired polymerization temperature. Incremental additions of catalysts, monomer, or both, may be made in the practice of any of the above polymerization methods.

The remarkable catalytic activity shown by the very strong acids utilized in this invention was unexpected in view of the results reported with hydrogen chloride. It has been found that bulk polymerizations of (Cl₂ PN)₃ in the presence of HCl (≧1-5×10⁻³ weight %) at 250°-270° C. are not only retarded in rate but afford lower molecular weight [Cl₂ PN]_(n) polymer than polymerizations conducted in the absence of HCl, whereas polymerizations using the strong acid catalysts of this invention have been successfully conducted at considerably lower temperatures (150°-190° C.). It has been found that essentially no polymerization occurred when benzoic acid was employed under conditions which gave significant polymerization with the acid catalysts of this invention.

Not all strong acids and their salts are active catalysts for the polymerization of cyclic (Cl₂ PN)₃ to soluble [Cl₂ PN]_(n) polymer. For example HCl, HBr, HgCl₂ and HgBr₂ are not catalysts when employed by themselves.

The following examples are not intended to limit the invention in any way, but are merely exemplary of preferred embodiments of the invention.

EXAMPLES 1-38

A dry Pyrex test tube (200 × 25 mm) was charged with a stirring bar, catalyst, (Cl₂ PN)₃ monomer (10-20 g, vacuum distilled and recrystallized from n-heptane), and solvent (50 weight %), unless indicated otherwise. The reaction mixture was purged with dry nitrogen and heated under N₂ one hour at 150°-155° C. prior to reaching polymerization temperature, unless indicated otherwise. Intrinsic viscosities ([η], dl/g) of soluble polymer were run in dry benzene at 30° C. and % conversion to polymer was determined by vapor-phase-liquid chromatography. The solvents employed were either (A) a 2:1 (by weight) mixture of 1,2-Cl₂ C₆ H₄ C₆ H₅ NO₂, (B) 1,2,4-Cl₃ C₆ H₃, or (C) 1,2-Cl₂ C₆ H₄. The results are shown in Examples 1-38.

    __________________________________________________________________________                          Polymerization                                            Catalyst (weight                                                                               Solv-                                                                               Conditions                                                Ex. % on Monomer)                                                                              ent(s)                                                                              ° C.                                                                          Hrs.                                                                              Remarks                                          __________________________________________________________________________      1  None        A    190   15 No Polymer                                        2  (CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3).sub.2 Hg[1%]                                                           B    217    3 Soluble polymer                                                                [η] = 1.4                                     3  (CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3).sub.2 Hg[1%]                                                           A    190    61/2                                                                             Soluble polymer                                   4  (CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3).sub.2 Hg[1%]                                                           C    190   10 Soluble polymer.sup.(a)                           5  (CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3).sub.2 Hg(0.3%)                                                         B    217    3 Soluble polymer                                                  (75%)         [η] = 2.7                                     6  CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3 Ag(1%)                                                                   A    190    61/2                                                                             Soluble and                                                                    gelled polymer                                    7  AgPF.sub.6 (3%)                                                                            A    190    7 Soluble polymer                                                                low conersion                                     8  (C.sub.6 F.sub.5 SO.sub.3).sub.2 conversion                                                A    190    4 Soluble polymer                                   9  [2,4-(NO.sub.2).sub.2 -                                                                    A    190    4 Soluble polymer                                      C.sub.6 H.sub.3 SO.sub.3 ].sub.2 Mn(1%)                                    10  KSbCl.sub.6 (1%)                                                                           A    190    6 Soluble Polymer                                  11  Co(BF.sub.4).sub.2 (1%)                                                                    A    190    6 Soluble Polymer                                  12  CF.sub.3 CO.sub.2 Ag(2%)                                                                   A    190    61/2                                                                             12% Conversion,                                                                [η] = 0.20                                   13.sup.(b)                                                                         HgI.sub.2 (2%)+                                                                            C    190    7 19% Conversion                                       NaI (0.7%)                                                                 14  HgI.sub.2 (2%)+                                                                            C    190   11 2% Conversion                                        NaI (0.7%).sup.(c)        (prior to addi-                                                                tion of NaI)                                     15  NaI(2%)     C    190   101/2                                                                             13% Conversion                                   16  C.sub.6 H.sub.5 SO.sup.⊖.sub.3 (CH.sub.3).sub.4 N.sup.⊕                        A    190   11 51% Conversion,                                      (2%)                      [η] = 0.06                                   17  Li.sub.2 TiF.sub.6 (2%)                                                                    A    190    6 25% Conversion                                   18  CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3 Na(2%)                                                                   A    190   10 10% Conversion                                   19  (CH.sub.3 SO.sub.3 Hg).sub.2 O(2%)                                                         A    190    21/2                                                                             61% Conversion,                                                                [η] = 0.31                                   20  (CH.sub.3 SO.sub.3 Hg).sub.2 O                                                             A    190   15 24% Conversion,                                      (0.5%)                    [η] = 0.75                                   21  (CH.sub.3 SO.sub.3 Hg).sub.2 O(2%)                                                         A    150-155                                                                              171/2                                                                             Soluble Polymer                                  22                                                                                  ##STR3##   A    190    21/2                                                                             40% Conversion                                   23  (CH.sub.3 SO.sub.3).sub.2 Zn(2%)                                                           A    190   10 7% Conversion                                    24  CH.sub.3 SO.sub.3 H(2%)                                                                    A    190    61/2                                                                             21% Conversion                                   25  CH.sub.3 SO.sub.3 H(2%)+                                                                   A    190    61/2                                                                             24% Conversion                                       LiCl(1%)                                                                   26  C.sub.6 F.sub.5 CO.sub.2 H(2%)                                                             A    190   40 53% Conversion                                   27  CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3 H(2%)                                                                    A    190.sup.(d)                                                                           4 Soluble Polymer                                  28  Cl.sub.3 CCO.sub.2 H(2%)                                                                   A    190    8 30% Conversion                                   29  n-C.sub.3 F.sub.7 CO.sub.2 H(2%)                                                           A    150-155                                                                              25 15% Conversion                                   30  n-C.sub.7 F.sub.15 CO.sub.2 H(2%)                                                          A    190   13 36% Conversion                                   31  P.sub.2 O.sub.5 (2%)                                                                       A    190   26 63% Conversion,                                                                [η ] = 0.24                                  32  polyphosphoric                                                                             A    190   23 47% Conversion,                                      acid (2%)                 [η] = 0.55                                   33  polyphosphoric                                                                             C    190   24 43% Conversion                                       acid (2%)              30 60% Conversion,                                                                [η] = 0.15                                   34  polyphosphoric                                                                             C    190   24 15% Conversion                                       acid (2%) +                                                                    LiCl (2%)                                                                  35  KNCS(2%)    A    190   25 40% Conversion,                                                                [η] = 0.25                                   36  picric acid(2%)                                                                            A    190   10 Soluble Polymer                                  37  ClSO.sub.3 H                                                                               A    190    6 Soluble Polymer                                  38.sup.(e)                                                                         (CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3).sub.2 Hg (2%)                                                          C.sub.6 H.sub.6                                                                     200   24 Soluble Polymer                                                  (90%)                                                          __________________________________________________________________________      .sup.(a) Derivatized to [(CF.sub.3 CH.sub.2 O).sub.2 PN(HC.sub.4 F.sub.8       CH.sub.2 O).sub.2 PN].sub.n by reaction with an equimolar mixture of           CF.sub.3 CH.sub.2 ONa and HC.sub.4 F.sub.8 CH.sub.2 ON.sub.a, [η]          30° acetone = 1.0 dl/g. Calcd: C, 23.5; H, 1.7; Cl, 0.0. Found: C,      22.2; H, 1.5; Cl, 0.1.                                                         .sup.(b) NaHgI.sub.3 and Na.sub.2 HgI.sub. 4 formed in situ.                   .sup.(c) Added 11 hours after addition of HgI.sub.2. Gelled polymer forme      101/2 hours after addition of NaI.                                             .sup.(d) Reaction heated 18 hours at 150° C. prior to heating to        reflux.                                                                        .sup.(e) Polymerization conducted in sealed tube under pressure.         

EXAMPLES 39-42

The procedure of Example 1 was followed using the indicated monomer(s) and (CH₃ SO₃ Hg)₂ O (2% on monomer) as catalyst and 1,2-Cl₂ C₆ H₄ -C₆ H₅ NO₂ (2w/1w) as solvent (50% concentration) at 190° C.

    ______________________________________                                         Monomer                                                                        (% by weight)  Polymerization                                                  Ex.  (Cl.sub.2 PN).sub.3                                                                     (Cl.sub.2 PN).sub.4                                                                     Time (Hours)                                                                             Remarks                                       ______________________________________                                         39   25       25       4         27% Conversion,                                                                [η] = 0.10                                40.sup.(a)                                                                          25       25       111/2     46% Conversion,                                                                [η] = 0.07                                41    0       50       43        19% Conversion                                42   30       15       111/2     40% Conversion                                + 5% mixture of                                                                (Cl.sub.2 PN).sub.5, (Cl.sub.2 PN).sub.6                                       ______________________________________                                          .sup.(a) LiCl(2%) present with the (CH.sub.3 SO.sub.3 Hg).sub.2 O              catalyst.                                                                

EXAMPLES 43-50

The procedure of Example 1 was followed without any solvent. Polymerizations of Examples 43-50 were conducted in a sealed evacuated pyrex tube.

    ______________________________________                                         Catalyst       Polymerization                                                  (weight % on   Conditions                                                      Ex.  monomer)      ° C.                                                                             Hrs. Remarks                                       ______________________________________                                         43   None          217      3    No high polymer                               44   (CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3).sub.2 Hg(3%)                                                             230-240  3    Gelled polymer                                45   (CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3).sub.2 Hg(0.5%)                                                           190      5    Soluble polymer                               46   CF.sub.3 SO.sub.3 Ag(1%)                                                                     180      3    Soluble polymer                               47   HgCl.sub.2 (1%)                                                                              250      8    24% Conversion,                                                                [η].sub.φH.sup.30° C. =                                         0.46 dl/g                                     48   HgBr.sub.2 (1%)                                                                              250      8    29% Conversion,                                                                [η].sub.φH.sup.30° C. =                                         0.52 dl/g                                     49   HCl           190      24   No high polymer                               50   polyphosphoric(1%)                                                                           190      20   Soluble polymer                               ______________________________________                                    

EXAMPLE 51

A 1-liter flask was charged under a nitrogen atmosphere with (Cl₂ PN)₃ (450 g), o-dichlorobenzene (50 g), and polyphosphoric acid (3.0 g, Matheson Coleman & Bell Company). The mixture was heated with good agitation 1 hour at 150°-170° C. and then at about 195° C. for 45 hours to give a very viscous mixture. Unreacted (Cl₂ PN)₃ was removed by extracting twice with 500 ml dry heptane, and then by stirring overnight at 40° C. with 500 ml dry petroleum ether. Solvent was decanted off and the [Cl₂ PN]_(n) polymer (184 g, 41% yield), which had an intrinsic viscosity of 0.9 dl/g (benzene, 30° C.), was dissolved in 500 ml dry benzene. This polymer solution was reacted with an equimolar mixture of CF₃ CH₂ ONa and HCF₂ C₃ F₆ CH₂ ONa in tetrahydrofuran for 1 day at room temperature to give, after purification, an elastomeric poly(fluoroalkoxyphosphazene) copolymer with an intrinsic viscosity 1.1 dl/g in acetone (30° C.) and a chlorine content of 0.03%.

EXAMPLES 52-53 Polymerization of (Cl₂ PN)₃ Using Phosphazene Catalyst Example 52: Via (Cl₂ PN)₃

The phosphazene catalyst was prepared by reaction, under dry nitrogen, of (Cl₂ PN)₃ (3.0 g), (CH₃ SO₃ Hg)₂) (0.5 g), in nitrobenzene (7.5 g) for 4 hours at 135° C. The mixture was cooled to room temperature and insoluble solids removed by centrifuging. An aliquot (4.0 g) of the clear yellow liquor was added to (Cl₂ PN)₃ (13.8 g) and 1,2-Cl₂ C₆ H₄ /C₆ H₅ NO₂ (2w/1w, 12.2 g) which was polymerized under nitrogen for 61/2 hours at 190° C. The [Cl₂ PN]_(n) polymer which was produced (53% yield by vapor-phase-liquid chromatography) had an intrinsic viscosity of 0.40 dl/g (benzene, 30° C.).

Example 53: Via (Cl₂ PN)₄

The phosphazene catalyst was prepared by reaction, under dry nitrogen, of (Cl₂ PN)₄ (3.0 g, 6.5 mmol), CF₃ CO₂ Ag (4.0 g, 18.0 mmol) in nitrobenzene (18 g) for 2 hours at 75° C. The immobile mass was shaken with 1,2-Cl₂ C₆ H₄ (36 g) and solids removed by subsequent centrifuging. An aliquot (7.5 g) of the clear light yellow solution was added to (Cl₂ PN)₃ (15 g) and 1,2-Cl₂ C₆ H₄ /C₆ H₅ NO₂ (2w/1w, 7.5 g) which was polymerized under nitrogen for 6 hours at 190° C. The [Cl₂ PN]_(n) polymer which as produced (29% yield) had an intrinsic viscosity of 0.22 dl/g (benzene 30° C.).

EXAMPLE 54

A mixture of (CH₃ SO₃ Hg)₂ O (0.3 g), (Cl₂ PN)₃ (1.0 g), and nitrobenzene (5.0 g) was heated under nitrogen with stirring at 135° C. for 2 hours. Vapor-phase-liquid chromatography was indicative of a significant change in (Cl₂ PN)₃ concentration. The mixture was added to additional (Cl₂ PN)₃ (14.0 g) and o-dichlorobenzene and heated at gentle reflux (Ca.190° C.) for 4 hours. Soluble polymer (33% conversion) was formed which had an intrinsic viscosity of 0.10 dl/g (benzene, 30° C.).

EXAMPLE 55 Preparation of a Poly(chloro-trifluoroacetoxy) Cyclophosphazene

To a solution of (Cl₂ PN)₃ (2.5 g, 7.19 mmol) in dry tetrahydrofuran (50 ml) was added, with good stirring under nitrogen, silver trifluoroacetate (5.0 g, 22.6 mmol). The reaction was covered with aluminum foil, stirred 18 hours at room temperature and refluxed 4 hours. The mixture was cooled, centrifuged, liquor removed, and solids reslurred with tetrahydrofuran (40 ml) and centrifuged. The combined clear liquor was evaporated under vacuum and then dried to constant weight under high vacuum. A whitish semi-solid mixture [4.1 g, theory for (Cl)₃ (CF₃ CO₂)₃ P₃ N₃ is 4.19 g] was obtained. The tetrahydrofuran insoluble solids were washed with acetone and dried to give 3.25 g. Further treatment of this solid with 15% HNO₃ (60 ml) (CF₃ CO₂ Ag is insoluble in this acid) followed by washing with water and methanol gave, after vacuum drying, 3.14 g (theory = 3.24 g for AgCl). The soluble semi-solid showed several significant volatile components in vapor-phase-liquid chromatography indicative of a mixture of poly(chloro-trifluoroacetoxy) cyclophosphazenes.

EXAMPLE 56 Preparation of (CH₃ SO₃ Hg)₂ O

A flask was charged with methanol (500 ml), HgO (108 g, 0.50 mol); and CH₃ SO₃ H (101 g, 0.57 mol) and stirred well under reflux for 2 hours. Methanol (150 ml) was removed by distillation and benzene (200 ml) was added. The mixture was concentrated to about 1/2 the volume and a mixture of isopropyl alcohol (150 ml) and benzene (250 ml) was added. The mixture was cooled, solid filtered off and washed with isopropyl alcohol-benzene (lv/lv) and vacuum dried at 130° C. for 18 hours. The product (141 g, 93% yield) was obtained as a whitish solid. Anal. Calcd. for (CH₃ SO₃ Hg)₂ O: C, 4.0; H, 1.0; S, 10.5. Found: C,4.1; H, 1.0; S, 10.7. Anal. Calcd. for (CH₃ SO₃)₂ Hg: C, 6.1; H, 1.5; S, 16.4. 

We claim:
 1. A process for the preparation of soluble polyhalophosphazene polymer consisting essentially of recurring structural units represented by the formula (X₂ PN) and having an intrisic viscosity of about 0.01 to about 3.0 dl/g (benzene, 30° C.), said polymer being soluble in benzene, toluene, chlorobenzene, and dichlorobenzene, which comprises heating at least one cyclic oligomer represented by the formula (X₂ PN)_(m) where m is 3-7, wherein X is a halogen selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, and Br and all of the X's are not required to be identical, at temperatures of about 130° C. to 220° C. in the presence of at least one catalyst which is selected from the group consisting of phosphazene derivatives consisting of the reaction product formed by reacting (1) at least one cyclic oligomer represented by the formula (X₂ PN)_(m) in which X represents a halogen selected from the group consisting of F, Cl and Br are not all of the X's are required to be the same, and m is an integer from 3-7, with at least one salt (2) of an anion selected from the group consisting of metallic or quaternary ammonium salts in which the anion is represented by one of the following formulae:

    [M.sup.r Z.sub.r+t ].sup.-t, I.sup.-, [NCS].sup.-, PF.sub.6.sup.-, BF.sub.4.sup.-, and [QX'.sub.r-x ].sup.-(2-x)

where Z is F or Cl; M is selected from the group consisting of metals and non-metals from Groups Ia, Ib, IIa, IIb, Vb, and VIII of the Periodic Table, Al, Mo, Re, Sn, Zr, As, Sb, Ti, Pb, Mn, and Th, with the proviso that when the anion is iodide the cation is selected from alkali, alkaline earth and quaternary ammonium, r is the valence of Metal M; t is an integer designating the magnitude of the negative charge of the complex ion [M^(r) Z_(r+t) ]^(-t) ; and Q is a metal selected from the group consisting of Hg, Cd, and Zn and X' is either Br, or I, and x is 0 or 1; and ##STR4## where R₁ is a monovalent member selected from the group consisting of polyhaloalkyl, where the halogen is F, Cl or mixtures thereof, perfluoroaryl and perchloroaryl; R₂ is a monovalent member selected from the group consisting of F, Cl, lower alkyl (C₁ -C₅), aryl, substituted alkyl and substituted aryl with the proviso that R₂ is not halogen then bonded to ##STR5## whereby at least one X in the compound (X₂ PN)_(m) is replaced, and all of the displacing groups are not required to be the same.
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the polymerization is carried out in a solvent.
 3. The process of claim 2 in which the solvent is selected from the group consisting of benzene, chlorobenzene, o-dichlorobenzene, 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, and mixtures thereof.
 4. The process of claim 1 which including in addition the step of heating the reactants and catalyst to a temperature significantly below the polymerization temperature prior to raising the temperature to effect polymerization.
 5. The process of claim 1 in which at least one phosphazene derivative is employed as catalyst.
 6. The process of claim 1 wherein the concentration of catalyst is between 0.1% and 20%.
 7. The process of claim 1 wherein the initial concentration of monomer is between 5 and 95%.
 8. The process of claim 1 wherein the polymerization is effected in the temperature range from 130° C. to 220° C.
 9. The process of claim 1 wherein the catalyst is selected from group consisting of phosphozene derivatives wherein and the reacting salt (2) is a salt of the anion ##STR6## 